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We are excited to announce that Disney MaxPass will launch July 19 at the Disneyland Resort! Disney MaxPass will help guests to maximize their experience at the Disneyland Resort by providing unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from the day, and by enabling the convenience of mobile Disney FASTPASS booking and redemption times while in the theme parks through the Disneyland App. If guests are not already registered for a Disney account, registration is fast and simple. Download the app and follow the prompts to register for an account. Disney MaxPass will be offered for an introductory price of $10 a day. Guests may purchase Disney MaxPass when they purchase their ticket, or as an add-on through the Disneyland App once they enter either theme park. Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders also will have the option of purchasing Disney MaxPass for the life of their current passport for $75. Signature Plus passholders will receive Disney MaxPass at no additional cost, as part of their annual passport entitlement. Since we announced Disney MaxPass in January, we have added two additional Disney FASTPASS locations at Toy Story Mania and Matterhorn Bobsleds, bringing the total number of attractions to 16. Guests will continue to have the option of Disney FASTPASS service at no additional cost by obtaining a Disney FASTPASS return time with their park admission ticket at attraction Disney FASTPASS kiosks. The introduction of Disney MaxPass is part of our ongoing commitment to providing guests with opportunities to customize their experiences and make it even easier than ever to create unforgettable memories. Watch for another Disney Parks Blog post soon for an example of how Disneyland Resort guests can start enjoying Disney MaxPass on July 19. Guests are strongly advised to check the day’s FASTPASS ticket availability and other Park details before purchasing Disney MaxPass or using a Park ticket with Disney MaxPass as FASTPASS tickets for your preferred attractions may not be available at the time of purchase or use. FASTPASS tickets are limited and availability is not guaranteed. FASTPASS tickets may be obtained only while you are in the Parks and may not be available for entertainment through Disney MaxPass. An experience that does not have Disney FASTPASS availability at a kiosk will not be available using Disney MaxPass. The Disney MaxPass benefit will expire at the end of the day or when the Passport it is associated with expires, as applicable. Disney MaxPass is nonrefundable, nontransferable, may not be redeemed for cash and is subject to other restrictions. Price, terms, entitlements, attractions and entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Passholders who purchase the Disney MaxPass benefit may not use the value of any separate ticket media toward the purchase price of Disney MaxPass. Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the PhotoPass terms found in https://disneyland.disney.go.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos captured during the day your Disney MaxPass is used or during the validity dates of your Passport, as applicable, must be linked to your Disney account and may be downloaded pursuant to the expiration policy at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/photopass-expiration-policy/. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Downloads are restricted to personal use by Disney account holder only and may not be used for a commercial purpose. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Message, data and roaming rates may apply for the Disneyland app. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. View the full article

It’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival Time. And that means we’re heading back into World ShowPlace for the grandest of the Food and Wine Festival Special Events — Party for the Senses! In previous years, Party for the Senses one of the festival’s biggest (and priciest) Special Events, brought together over-the-top food and drink, paired with up close and personal entertainment provided by Cirque de Soleil. But in 2016, that all changed, as the events became much more specifically themed and the slate of entertainment changed with each party. Disney Springs Featured at Party for the Senses Join us as we look back at one of the events from last year, which celebrated Disney Springs. Party for the Senses: A Sense of Disney Springs Have you ever been inside the cavernous World ShowPlace? What? You don’t even know what that is? Well, that’s because it’s a special events pavilion that’s only opened up for big doings, such as holiday dinner buffets… and grand tasting events during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, like Party for the Senses. During the rest of the year, the venue, located between the Canada and UK Pavilions, is hidden behind a large set of wooden doors. Inside World ShowPlace As you enter, the first room is normally sort of like a giant receiving hall. Go past this area, and that’s where the party really starts. And I have to say — it really is a celebration for all of your senses. Colorful decorations and light-up table bases capture your attention right away. Seating an Atmosphere As this was a celebration of Disney Springs, we were delighted to see dancers and musicians from Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. They were performing their Rhythms of Raglan show, a gorgeous expression of the Ireland through music, dance, and images. If you haven’t had the chance to catch it, be sure to visit soon. Entertainment But, as awesome as the decor and entertainment were…let’s get on with our first love: the fooooood. There was plenty more where this came from, but today, we’ll give you just a taste. Let’s begin with a few savory options. It wasn’t just the big table service restaurants that were represented at Party for the Senses. There were some unexpected dishes from kiosks and even food trucks as well. Our first stop was the B.B. Wolf Sausage Co. station. B.B. Wolf’s Food Station Here, we noshed on Regensburg Sausage, a mild German sausage served in the famed southern Bavarian medieval town of Regensburg where three rivers meet. As the story goes, the Old Historic Sausage Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 900 years — making it the oldest continuously open public restaurant in the world. So there’s your history lesson for the day. Menu — Regensburg Sausage by B.B. Wolf’s Anyhoo — in this case, the sausage is wrapped in Nueske’s Bacon and served with Black Bean Salsa, Lime Crème, and Jalapeño. Regenberg Sausage Wrapped in Nueske’s Bacon But we also had the opportunity to sample a world of flavors from the two of Disney’s Food Trucks. In fact, Namaste Cafe was parked nearby for the occasion. Sweet! (By the way, it’s worth noting that Namaste has morphed into Springs Street Tacos these days.) Namaste Food Truck Menu — Grilled Lamb Kefta by Namaste Food Truck While Namaste served up a Spice-dusted Grilled Lamb Kefta, we also enjoyed a selection from the World Showcase of Flavors Truck. The Pork Belly Cuban brought together Melaza-rubbed Pork Belly, Smoked Ham, Queso Suizo Garlic Chili Pickles, Citrus Mayo, and Yellow Mustard. More Food Truck Goodness We also spied Disney Celeb Chef Art Smith, who was there to represent his restaurant, Homecomin’. It’s one of our favorites! For a rundown of our most recent visit, check out this review. Chef Art Smith from Homecomin’ Morimoto Asia was also in the house, serving up there delectable Peking Duck (it’s SO good!) in the form of…Tacos. Morimoto Food Station Menu — Peking Duck from Morimoto Asia I *may* have made more than one trip to this stop on the food trail. Peking Duck In addition to some outstanding savory dishes, there were plenty of sweets to tempt us too. We sampled the Bananas Foster Crepe from AristoCrepes, another interesting kiosk you’ll find in Disney Springs. AristoCrepe’s Food Station Menu — Bananas Foster Crepe by AristoCrepes This is not your momma’s crepe. Served with a Pink Peppercorn Chantilly, a Bruleed Banana, Hazelnut Brittle, and Frangelico Nutella, this treat left us wanting more. Bananas Foster Crepe But there was no way we were passing up an incredible chocolate dessert at the hands of The Ganachery. This tiny shop is huge in terms of flavor. If you haven’t visited yet, be sure to stop in on your next trip through Disney Springs. Menu — The Ganachery The Dark Chocolate Ganache, paired with Pistachio Sponge Cake and Amarena Cherries was elegant to be sure — but it was also seriously rich and delicious. Desserts from The Ganachery In fact, looking at this picture right now makes me wish that I could stop by for one of these to go tomorrow. (Except it totes wouldn’t stand up to this Florida heat.) Chocolate Ganache by The Ganachery As usual, we thoroughly enjoyed the feast for the eyes, ears, and tastebuds that epitomizes Party for the Senses. If you’re looking to splurge on a Special Event, we say go for it! Want to see more DFB at PFTS? Check out our other Party for the Senses experiences here and here! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Want to Know All About the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? We have ALL the information you’re looking for! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 20 at 7:00AM ET. Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents are eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. Members of these groups can also book low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars early on July 18th beginning at 9:00AM ET. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. This is unconfirmed at this time. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. So, what do you think? Is Party for the Senses on your Epcot Food and Wine Bucket List? Leave a comment and let us know if you plan to attend this year! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Review: Party for the Senses Guest Review: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Party for the Senses Review: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Party for the Senses View the full article

The 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is just around the corner, and we know that you’re just as excited about that as we are! This year, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The event runs for 75 straight days — from August 31 until November 13. But it will also boast more booths than ever before. Get ready to sample your way around 35 different marketplace booths, which mark 35 great years since Epcot first opened. See the full list of booths and MENUS here! One of our favorite ways to look forward to the festival is actually to take a look back at the events from last year, and some of the best events are the low cost culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars. Join us as we head into Festival Center and take in a Beverage Seminar, featuring Shipyard Brewing! Epcot Food and Wine Festival Beverage Seminar Featuring Shipyard Brewing Beverage Seminars took place daily at Festival Center. We arrived for our seminar in plenty of time to be seated. It’s important to note you don’t want to show up at the last minute for your seminar; if you do, you may lose your seat, since the Information Desk will actually sell empty seats to guests looking for last minute tickets. Arrive 15-30 minutes early, just to be safe. The Vineyard Stage — Beverage Seminar Beverage Seminars are just that — seminars about beverages. Ha! But seriously, they run the gamut. You can learn about a myriad of wine, spirits, and beer. Presenters are normally representatives of distributing companies, or often experts from the distilleries or wineries themselves. Representative Sharing Information About Shipyard Beer We were attending our seminar in the fall, and Shipyard brought not one, but THREE fun beer options that were perfect for the season. Shipyard Beer Selections for the Seminar They included, from left to right, Blood Orange, Little Horror of Hops, and one of Shipyard’s most popular beers, Pumpkinhead. My place setting included small pours of each beer (around four ounces), plus a water cup. Place Setting for Beer Demonstration Each place setting also included a form for taking notes about the various beers. Page for Taking Notes We began with the Blood Orange, a fruit beer brewed in the Belgian style with flavors of orange peel and coriander. I couldn’t really tell much about the pour and the head, since the beer is pre-poured, but overall, I found it to be a decent, refreshing, light-style beer. It’s a good choice for consuming in the Florida heat (which, unfortunately, extended well into October last year.) Shipyard Blood Orange Beer The next sample in our flight was Little Horror of Hops. Cute, eh? This is an IPA style, so we expected it to be hoppy with that characteristic citrusy-grapefruit flavor that you usually get with an IPA. What we didn’t expect was the super cool peppery flavors as well. Shipyard Beer — Little Horror of Hops Finally, we tried the Pumpkinhead. If you’ve been in a store — any store — from August on, then you’ve probably seen a display of this one. People are crazy for pumpkin beer, and this is a decent representation of the genre’s fresh flavor. It’s a wheat ale with just a touch of spice. Shipyard Beer — Pumpkinhead My beverage seminar certainly inspired me to get out and try all of the season’s freshest flavors! It’s always exciting to discover a few new favorites. Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Can’t Wait For All of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival News? We have all the coverage and information you need right here on Disney Food Blog! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 20 at 7:00AM ET. Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents are eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. Members of these groups can also book low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars early on July 18th beginning at 9:00AM ET. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. Again, this is unconfirmed as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. Who’s ready for a beer or three now? Leave a comment and let us know if you’re looking forward to attending a beverage seminar at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival this year! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details News! 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details View the full article

Summer is in full swing, and that means lots of long, lazy days, summer fun, barbecues — and the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will be here before we know it! Festival Center During the Epcot Food and Wine Festival While we love spending time at the festival, hitting up all the great eats and drinks at Festival Booths, I also love to carve out a little time to attend a Culinary Demonstration or Beverage Seminar. And I have to say, of the two, the culinary demos are my favorite. These Low Cost Events take place daily in the Chef’s Showcase at Festival Center, and offer guests a great opportunity to see a live cooking demonstration. Chef’s Showcase, Festival Center But even better, the events include a tasting portion of the dish that’s prepared during the demonstration, and usually include a beverage pairing as well. Last year, we had the opportunity to attend a couple culinary demonstrations. Join us as we share our experience at one of them today. Lobster Creole with Pam Brandon, Katie Farmand, and Heather McPherson The day I attended, there were some notable guests on the Chef’s Showcase stage. Familiar favorite Pam Smith hosted the event. She was joined by Pam Brandon, Katie Farmand, and Heather McPherson, authors of Good Catch: Recipes and Stories Celebrating the Best of Florida’s Waters. Festival Chardonnay, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Cookbook, and Good Catch All three authors are also notable in their own right. While Heather is a well known former Orlando Sentinel food critic, mother-daughter duo Pam and Katie may be a little more familiar to Disney audiences. Pam has co-authored several Disney cookbooks and writes for Disney Parks Blog, while Katie shares hosting duties on the stages of Festival Center with Pam Smith. Pam Smith with (L-R) Heather McPherson, Pam Brandon, and Katie Farmand Pam, Katie, and Heather are passionate about promoting the use of local ingredients whenever possible. The book celebrates the bounty of seafood in the state of Florida with anecdotes and recipes from fisherman and locally-owned restaurants statewide. Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! For the demo, the trio shared a recipe for Lobster Creole from Garcia’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market. Founded more than 40 years ago by a family escaping communist Cuba, the combination restaurant and market, located on the Miami River in Miami, is still run by “mami and her sons.” Lobster Creole Recipe — Click to Enlarge While the Pam and the writers shared a little about the history of the restaurant as well as the recipe, servers passed out glasses of 2016 Festival Chardonnay to pair with the dish. 2016 Festival Chardonnay The recipe combines locally-sourced Florida spiny lobster with aromatic vegetables familiar in Creole cooking: tomatoes, peppers, and onions. As the authors shared details, the space filled with the smells of special seasonings, sauteed veggies, and briny lobster. Catching all of the details was easy, thanks to large monitors situated on either side of the stage. Culinary Demo — Lobster Creole Heather shared that the recipe was a great way to “stretch” expensive seafood ingredients. She also suggested cold water lobster, langoustines, or even shrimp would work well in place of the spiny lobster. As the crew finished preparing the dish, we were served generous samples to try. I loved it! And the pairing with the medium-bodied Chardonnay was a good one. The wine stood up nicely to the richness of the lobster and the light, tomato-based sauce. Lobster Creole I walked away with a nice snack and a lovely recipe to try at home. Whether you’re a veteran of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, or this is your first visit to the event, be sure to book a culinary demonstration or a beverage seminar. At $17 per person, the price point is super affordable. And besides, you’re basically attending a live cooking show — with samples. Fun + delicious always = awesome. Want to Know More About the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Here are ALL the details! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 20 at 7:00AM ET. Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents are eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. Members of these groups can also book low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars early on July 18th beginning at 9:00AM ET. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. Again, this is unconfirmed as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. So now let’s hear from you. Are you planning to attend a culinary demo at Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Culinary and Beverage Demo Info FINALLY Available Guest Review: Chef Robert Irvine Culinary Demo at Epcot Food & Wine Festival Review: Cake Boss Buddy Valastro’s Culinary Demo at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival View the full article

The 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will be here before you know it! We’re counting down the days, and soon, we’ll be Eating and Drinking our way Around the World with you guys! And recently, we shared a TON of info with you! We now know the full list of Booths, Menus, and Special Events. But best of all, we know booking dates! Mark you calendars for July 20! We are still awaiting schedules for Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminars, and Hand On Workshops, we’re sharing a closer look at some of the fantastic events that we enjoyed at the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. While the Marketplace Booths are great for grazing and tasting food from all over the globe, we love the opportunity to take in Culinary Demonstrations — and possibly learn a little something new. In addition, it’s fun to check out suggested pairing. And you always leave a culinary demo armed with a brand new recipe. Place Setting with Recipe This demo actually offered guests something a little different — a sweet treat that’s both delicious and healthy. Join us as we head into Festival Center to check out Chef Warren Brown on the Chef’s Showcase stage! Culinary Demo: CakeLove Healthy Cake Bites by Warren Brown For this particular culinary demonstration, we found ourselves once again seated alllllll the way to the left of the stage. No worries, though. LCD monitors located throughout the space gave us up close views of all the action. Stage and Setup The usual cast of characters were assembled. If you’ve ever attended a culinary demonstration or a special event that takes place on the Chef’s Showcase stage, then you’ll recognize Pam Smith, who often joins chefs and wine experts as the host of events here. Pam Smith and Chef Warren Brown I was excited to take in a demo by Warren Brown. Many of you probably remember Brown from his Food Network show, Sugar Rush. But he also founded and operated CakeLove, a Washington DC-based bakery that soared to popularity in the last several years. These days, Brown has taken his love of pastry online. While CakeLove’s brick-and-mortar bakeries have all closed, he’s building a business of CakeLove in a Jar, single servings of cake and frosting in resealable jars, available at grocers and online. Chef Warren Brown We’ll get a look at a sample size version of the treat in just a sec. As is usually the case, our demo started off with a beverage pairing. We were treated to a glass of Zonin Prosecco to go with the cake that Brown would be demonstrating. This is an easy drinking, crisp sparkling wine that I find pairs exceptionally well with desserts. It’s a party in a glass. Zonin Prosecco While Chef Brown shared with us the recipe he had brought, we were treated to samples of both his Healthy Bites as well as a sample size of the CakeLove in a Jar. CakeLove in a Jar and Healthy Bites The Healthy Bites were shaped like miniature scones and offered a delicious array of flavors from the inclusion of dried cranberries and pineapple as well as seeds and spices. Healthy never tasted so yum! Healthy Bites — Up Close The CakeLove in a Jar was equally delicious — although not as healthy. While CakeLove in a Jar comes in some truly tempting flavors, like Red Velvet and Salted Caramel, we sampled a combo of Cinnamon Spice Cake paired with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Chef Brown shared that the combo included just a little caramel and rum to bring some complexity of flavors to the mix. Sample of CakeLove in a Jar Look for CakeLove in a Jar throughout the Washington, DC area as well as surrounding states. And you just might enjoy them on international flights with Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian Airlines, too! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Want to Know More About the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? We have ALL the information for you! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 20 at 7:00AM ET. Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents are eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. Members of these groups can also book low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars early on July 18th beginning at 9:00AM ET. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. This is unconfirmed at this time. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. Are you looking forward to attending a culinary demonstration at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Leave a comment and let us know! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tip: How Many Days Should I Budget For the Festival? Chef Cat Cora Likely Dates for the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Culinary and Beverage Demo Info FINALLY Available View the full article

Welp, we spent a little time in Disney Springs the other day with our EAT THIS in Disney Springs Part 1 video. So I bet you’ll have no problems figuring out what we’re doing today! ;-D Yep — we’re back with another DFB Video today — specifically, Part 2 of what you can’t miss in Disney Springs! In this installment, join us as we give you some great tips for can’t miss dishes and treats. We’ll take you inside some of Disney Springs newest spots as we uncover hidden gems at D-Luxe Burger and The Ganachery. But save room for classics like Earl of Sandwich and Goofy’s Candy Company as well! And don’t be surprised if we do a little “star” gazing (or sandwich gazing, rather) at Planet Hollywood Observatory. Looking for more videos to love? Then check out all the cool titles on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So tell me — what’s your favorite can’t miss snack, drink, treat, or meal at Disney Springs? Leave a comment and share with us below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: New DFB Video: EAT THIS at Disney Springs Part 1 New DFB Video: A Tour of the Coca-Cola Rooftop Bar at Disney Springs New DFB Video: Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers View the full article

Did you see ALL THE NEWS about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival that just dropped yesterday?! We’re talking Food Booth Menus, Eat to the Beat Dining Packages, Special Events, and more! Early Booking Date Confirmed And speaking of Special Events, it has been confirmed that Disney Vacation Club Members and Tables in Wonderland Members are eligible for early booking for this year’s Festival. While the general public can book all events July 20th at 7:00 am EST, DVC Members (as well as the previously confirmed Tables in Wonderland, Annual Passholders, and, we believe, Golden Oak Residents) can book select Special Events such as Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, and “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It” Workshops and “Party for the Senses” starting at 9:00 am EST on July 18th. Food and Wine Festival Discount and Perks These affinity groups are also confirmed as eligible to receive a $2 discount for low-cost events on Mondays through Thursdays. Additionally, DVC Members who are looking forward to the “Party for the Senses” may book from a block of 50 seats reserved specifically for Members for the September 23 and October 21 party dates! Party for the Senses After August 4th, remaining spaces will be available for both Members and guests. DVC Members who book from the reserved seating block will also receive a complimentary wine glass designed for the occasion. So, be sure to check out ALL the information for this year’s Festival to prepare for early booking starting July 18th, and general booking starting July 20th! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. WE EXPECT THE GUIDE TO GO OUT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, COMPLETE WITH A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS. PRE-ORDER NOW! Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Which Epcot Food and Wine Festival event are YOU most excited about booking? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Epcot Food & Wine Festival Discounts and Early Booking Date Announced News! Epcot Food and Wine Festival Early Booking Details for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers UPDATED: News! Updates to Early Booking for Some Events at the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival View the full article

A record 35 global food-and-wine marketplaces will celebrate 35 years of Epcot during the 22nd annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which sets another festival record this year by growing to an unprecedented 75 days – from Aug. 31-Nov. 13 guests can sip, savor and stroll their way around World Showcase. Now recognized among America’s top food festivals, this favorite annual event once again presents opportunities to enjoy bites and beverages from the aforementioned marketplaces, mix and mingle with celebrity chefs, experience hands-on culinary workshops and demonstrations, enjoy nightly “Eat to the Beat” concerts (225 performances over the festival’s run) at the America Gardens Theatre and more. As part of Membership Magic Ever After, Disney Vacation Club Members may get a jumpstart on booking specially ticketed experiences at this year’s festival, including culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars and the highly anticipated “Party for the Senses.” While guests may begin booking the culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars and “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It” experience at 7 a.m. Eastern on July 20, Members may do so through Member Services beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern on July 18. (Note that Members also receive a $2 discount off culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars held Monday through Thursday.) Members looking to enjoy the popular “Party for the Senses” experience, meanwhile, may call Member Services to book from a block of 50 seats reserved for Members at both the Sept. 23 and Oct. 21 parties until Aug. 4, after which any remaining spaces will become available for Members and guests alike. As an added bonus, Members taking advantage of this unique “Party for the Senses” opportunity will receive a complimentary specially designed wine glass. To learn more about the festival before calling Member Services, visit epcotfoodfestival.com. View the full article

I am beyond excited to share even more details about the all-new Marvel Super Hero Academy aboard the Disney Fantasy. Throughout this one-of-a-kind youth space, children can learn the ways of the mystic arts with Doctor Strange and even discover what it takes to become a true hero with Thor. Here are some of the fun feats that heroes-in-the-making are currently taking on in this epic academy: 5. While exploring the academy, young trainees should listen out for the thunderous entrance of the hero of Asgard, Thor. He just might have an unexpected visit from his brother Loki through a magical portal as well … 4. The Mighty Thor teaches kids the path to becoming worthy through strength, knowledge and compassion. With the Mjölnir in hand, Thor leads the future heroes to become worthy enough to wield their own hammers. 3. Curious children can examine some truly powerful objects. Doctor Strange’s sling rings, Black Panther’s mask and the mysterious Wakandan vibranium that made Captain America’s shield are all on display as inspiration for future heroes. 2. Future sorcerers can take the journey into the mystic arts to learn to open their minds and find their inner powers from Doctor Strange himself. (Remember “Shamballa,” you’ll thank me later!) 1. After learning how to harness energy from Doctor Strange, kids can create portals using their newly acquired skills and travel anywhere throughout the Multiverse. (Be sure to keep an eye out for Dormammu …) Joining Marvel Super Heroes in these epic missions are just the beginning of the adventures to be had throughout the new youth spaces in Disney’s Oceaneer Club. Seven-night itineraries aboard the Disney Fantasy allow for tons of fun, so stay tuned for even more details on what out-of-this-world adventures have hit the high seas. View the full article

Celebrate the grand opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on Monday, July 17, by downloading two exclusive wallpapers for mobile and desktop devices. The newest Disney Vacation Club Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will feature a variety of accommodations for families of all sizes, including Deluxe Studios, 1- and 2-bedroom Villas, remarkable Grand Villas and unique waterfront Cascade Cabins. Be sure to read the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it and check out our complete gallery of wallpapers here. So, go ahead and add some flair to your devices and prepare for a future stay at this beautiful Resort! When are you planning on visiting? View the full article

Just when you think an ice cream sundae from Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop can’t get any better, the clever minds behind Disney Springs’ iconic shop throw in some totally rad accessories! Haight-Ashberry Sundae with Accessories! Accessories! Okay, we know: you need details. First things first: this is a limited time offering this summer, so you’ll need to act fast. Second things second, the sundae is called the Haight-Ashberry after the popular San Fran district called Haight-Ashbury. It’s designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, a festival that was held in the city in 1967. Phew. Okay. That’s all out there. “Tell us more about the accessories,” you say! Sorry, you’ve got to eat your ice cream first. The Haight-Ashberry experience starts with a Berry Hot Fudge Sundae. Haight-Ashberry Sundae This combination of berries and chocolate is very much in line with the popular Presidio Passion Sundae, with some modifications: the Haight-Ashberry features blueberries in addition to strawberries, omits the chocolate-covered strawberry on top, and adds a square of raspberry-filled Ghirardelli chocolate. Haight-Ashberry So what you get is creamy vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce, a thick layer of Ghirardelli’s hot fudge, more strawberry topping, more hot fudge (because #chocolate), whipped cream, blueberries, and the chocolate-raspberry square. It’s basically perfection in an easy-to-carry container. Haight-Ashberry Sundae But if you’re celebrating the Summer of Love with sweet summer berries and indulgent, sensual chocolate, you’re going to want to dress the part. Haight-Ashberry Thankfully Ghirardelli has got your back. Along with your Berry Hot Fudge Sundae you get some sweet and Summer of Love-appropriate eye- and head-wear. Haight-Ashberry We couldn’t resist taking a bajillion pics of these things because they’re just so groovy, man. The red glasses are plastic and totally retro in the best way. Heart-Shaped Sunglasses We recommend having no shame and totally donning these for the duration of your time in Disney Springs. Or anywhere else you go. They’re so cute. We also appreciate that there’s no garish logo on them anywhere, so they’re really useable (not that a logo would stop us…)! Love Sunglasses Of course, what’s the Summer of Love without a flower crown? Flower Crown Featuring the most free-spirited of all the flowers, the daisy, the crown is fashioned from braided green-stemmed daisies and brown fabric. It’s also elasticized so it’ll fit pretty much any head aged tween and older. (Younger kiddos might find it to be a little loose — but nothing some bobbypins can’t fix.) Flower Crown At $15.00, this is obviously a pricy treat, but since the Presidio Passion (the Berry Hot Fudge Sundae’s step-brother) runs $11.95 without the shades and a crown, we totally suggest you go for it! So much yum in the sundae and so much fun in the accessories! Go on! Get your peace, love, and flower power on, soul sisters and brothers! Are you a Ghirardelli’s fan? Give us the scoop on the sweetest snacks you’ve tried! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Creamsicle Float and Nutella Brownie Sundae at Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs Review: The Earthquake Sundae and More at Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop News! 2012 Opening for Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Disney California Adventure View the full article

Swotu Wayä Na’vi Drum Ceremony in Pandora - The World of Avatar View the full article

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is adding a grand tasting experience led by a master sommelier to this year’s lineup. Matthew Citriglia, one of only 149 master sommeliers in the Americas, will lead the tasting featuring wines from the Italian regions of Barolo and Barbaresco.... View the full article

If you spend your summer vacation in Orlando, you know you’ll be feeling hot, hot, HOT! And you might be tempted to opt out of the theme park experience. However, if you and your familia stay at Walt Disney World Resort, there are endless opportunities to have fun in the sun while beating the heat. Water fun at Walt Disney World Resort doesn’t end at Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon (see last week’s post!). At The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion in Epcot, you can get an up-close experience with underwater life through scuba diving and scuba-assisted snorkeling, among many other experiences. On Bay Lake near Magic Kingdom Park, you can water ski and parasail, with the ultimate view—Cinderella Castle. Also on Bay Lake, you and the fishing aficionados can fish for trophy-sized bass fish. All across Walt Disney World Resort waterways, your familia can experience water adventures with the rental of sailboats, pontoon boats, canopy boats, pedal boats, rowboats or canoes. And if you prefer to stay dry, there are several exciting activities at Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to workout facilities and health clubs, you can bike, play tennis, jog on a scenic trail and go horseback riding. At Disney’s Boardwalk Inn you can breeze down the boardwalk on a surrey bike, making it an outing that’s fun para toda la familia! What other recreational actividades do you like doing with your familia beyond the parks? View the full article

Variable pricing launched last year at Disneyland may have cut wait times slightly but not by much. View the full article

Things are about to get a little wicked when the Villain Kids (aka VKs) from the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie “Descendants 2” visit the Disneyland Resort. Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Carlos (Cameron Boyce), Jay (Booboo Stewart) and Uma (China Anne McClain), along with Emmy Award-winning director Kenny Ortega will be the Mickey’s Soundsational Parade Grand Marshals on Thursday, July 13, at 4 p.m. PST (7 p.m. EST) at Disneyland park. If you can’t make it in person, don’t worry! Check back here at 4 p.m. PST (7 p.m. EST), as we will be live-streaming the Pre-Parade moment here on the Disney Parks Blog. The live stream will be hosted by Radio Disney’s Morgan Tompkins and YouTube sensation Charisma Star. Don’t forget to tune into “Descendants 2” when it simultaneously premieres Friday, July 21 (8 p.m. EST/PST) across six networks within the Disney|ABC Television Group, including Disney Channel, ABC, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime and Lifetime Movies. View the full article

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — yes, already — at Disney Springs. The Marketplace side of the shopping and entertainment compound is planning a limited-time promotion based on the winter holiday season. Its midyear celebration will be held July 15-30, which means that in August we... View the full article

It was a warm summer day, and we had been on the boat for about an hour; a group of conservationists and some local experts, all intent on getting a glimpse of the largest fish in the ocean. When all you can see is horizon and ocean, it’s difficult to imagine that there is a specific destination in mind, but our local guides clearly knew the way. The boat stopped and just like that, I was plunging into the Atlantic ocean, no sandy bottom in sight, and swimming quickly toward a large dark shadow easily three times my size. When the whale shark appeared, it was breathtaking. I was mesmerized and so grateful that such gentle giants exist on our planet. That experience was a meaningful reminder that, more than ever, we need to work together to reverse the decline of the more than 1,000 species of sharks and rays and protect their ocean homes. The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) is working with the Wildlife Conservation Society and other collaborating organizations on a global initiative to reverse the decline of sharks and rays by supporting the scientific management of fisheries, reducing the demand for shark and ray products and advancing research to secure protected status for threatened species. In addition, since 1995, the DCF has provided more than 40 grants to projects in 10 countries (and growing!) to aid sharks and their ocean habitats. Here are just a few of the ways organizations we supported last year are helping. The Manta Trust & The Gulf of California Marine Program are building local research and conservation capacity in Pacific Mexico to improve the understanding and management of artisanal fisheries to better protect shark and ray species. University of Miami is studying shark behavior and physiology along the South Florida coastline to provide insights on how species react to coastal urbanization and inspire the next generation of ocean conservationists. The Zoological Society of London, in partnership with the University of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and the “Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig,” is protecting habitat for the critically endangered angel shark in the Canary Islands, engaging citizen scientists to help monitor the animals, sharing best practices with communities related to tourism that affects angel sharks and identifying possible breeding areas in the region. You can learn more about sharks, rays and other animals at the Walt Disney World Resort by visiting DisneyAnimals.com. And when you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be sure to take part in “Connect to Protect,” a mobile adventure that invites guests to participate in conservation “missions” with a digital scientist while exploring Pandora and helping protect the habits of at-risk wildlife, even sharks and rays, right here on Earth. View the full article

Woohoo! It’s finally here! We have a WHOLE LOTTA INFO TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY! That’s right — today we are sharing NEARLY ALL of the information that you need to plan your 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival visit! See the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and Start Planning! Be sure to click on our individual pages for each booth to see food photos of most of the dishes! The festival runs from August 31 through November 13. That’s 75 full days of eating and drinking All the Things Around the World! And general booking for ALL EVENTS begins on Thursday, July 20! We know that you’re anxious to get planning, so let’s get right to it — here is all the information on everything happening at this year’s Food and Wine Festival! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booths and Menu Items Once again, the fun is officially expanding into Future World, as Marketplace Booths will once again be located in this part of the park. Enjoy 35 different booths in all to celebrate 35 years of Epcot! New in 2017, Epcot is going regional and themed! Lots of the new booths center around a certain theme or food. What does that mean? Read on! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. WE EXPECT THE GUIDE TO GO OUT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, COMPLETE WITH A FULL DAILY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS. PRE-ORDER NOW! Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! We’re excited to welcome brand new booths Active Eats, Almond Orchard, Coastal Eats and MORE! We can’t wait to try all the new dishes at these spots. To see all the details, head over to a Menu Index for the full rundown, and to our individual pages to see food pics and details! We’re also excited to see lots of new returns by booths that have been on hiatus. These include Spain and India as well as Thailand! Pistachio Cardamom Cake with Coconut Chocolate Mousse at the India Booth © Disney And now we know that the Cheese Studio is back as well! Cheese Studio Booth Head over to our 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Menus and Photos page to see the full booth menus and to see all the NEW and NEWLY RETURNING Booths!! We hope you’ll take time to click through each individual booth page to see pictures of the actual booths themselves, what’s on the menu, and actual food photos for the upcoming event! And oh HEY! The Loaded Mac and Cheese is BACK!!! Find it at the New Active Eats Booth! Loaded mac and cheese with Nueske’s pepper bacon cheddar cheese peppers and green onions Also, don’t forget to check out our other 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Coverage; we work hard to make sure we have the most comprehensive coverage of the festival on the internet! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details While we’re still awaiting the FULL LINEUP for Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, and Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshops, we are excited to share with you a few of the details! Stay tuned — we expect to receive the full schedule very soon! Champagne Seminar at Epcot Food and Wine Festival The cost for all Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars is $17 this year, and the events feature a wide range of talent from the culinary world. (Annual Passholders, DVC members, Golden Oak Residents, and Tables in Wonderland Members may be eligible for $2 discounts on seminars and demonstrations held Monday through Thursday, and may have access to early booking. We are still awaiting that information.) Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Hands On Workshops will once again be $49. No discount is offered on the workshops at this time. Stay tuned to the DFB Newsletter for more details. General booking for these low-cost events begins Thursday, July 20. 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events Details But wait, there’s more! Today, we’re sharing all of the details about Special Events that we’ll be enjoying during the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Special Events are the higher priced events that take place through Epcot, and throughout all of Walt Disney World during the festival. They include Signature Dining Events, Premium Parties, and even interactions with celebrity chefs and culinary experts! Once again in 2017, you can expect to see guest favorites return, like Party for the Senses, Trader Sam’s Behind the Scenes, and delicious Cheese Seminars. Cheese at Food and Wine Festival Cheese Seminar And we’re super excited to see all of the great talent available during the popular “What’s Cooking With” Series! Fan favorites like Jamie Deen, Carla Hall, and Robert Irvine once again take the stage! Cooking with Carla Hall at the festival Also returning are the wildly popular Specialty Dining and Pairings Events. Yay for Parisian Breakfast and Afternoons, Tequila Pairing Lunch, and so much more! Parisian Breakfast We’re also suuuuuper excited to see the Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto event back toooo! So fun! Shrunken Zombie Head… all fired up Click through to our Special Events page to see ALL of the information as well as reviews! Eat to the Beat Dining Package Information and Booking Because seating for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series is first-come, first-served, Disney is once again offering the opportunity to guarantee your seat for all your favorite acts this year! Returning for 2017, pair your Eat to the Beat Concert experience with lunch or dinner at your favorite Epcot restaurant and enjoy a guaranteed seat for the show! Booking for these special packages opens Thursday, June 20. For details on ALL participating restaurants and pricing, plus the entire Eat to the Beat lineup, head over to our Eat to the Beat Page! Booking and Discounts You can book most of the events on Thursday, July 20, at 7:00AM ET by calling 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). You can also book Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, and Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Hands On Workshops online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com. Discounted pricing on Low-Cost Events ONLY ($2 off per person per seminar) was available in the past for Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, DVC members, and Golden Oak Residents. We are currently awaiting confirmation that these discounts will once again be offered in 2017. The discount applies only to culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, and mixology demonstrations taking place Monday-Thursday throughout the Festival. Stay tuned to the DFB Newsletter for more details. 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 20. Join the Disney Food Blog Newsletter to find out as soon as we do about details and booking dates! Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents may be eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. These members may be able to book seminars, demos, and workshops early on July 18. This is unconfirmed at this time. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. Again, this is unconfirmed as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. What are you looking most forward to at the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Leave a comment and let us know! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival FULL BOOTH MENUS and Food Photos! 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival News! Details on Booths, Menus, Special Events, Booking Dates, and More News! 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival FULL BOOTH MENUS and Food Photos! View the full article

Opening day of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is earlier than ever this year – Aug. 31, with lots of new tastes and sips around World Showcase Lagoon and stretching in to Future World. Here’s a rundown of the Festival Marketplaces to keep handy and help you plan ahead. The festival runs through Nov. 13. For more information, visit epcotfoodfestival.com. Look for booking dates for special events soon! Epcot Legacy Showplace Chilled Scotch Egg wrapped in Sausage with Mustard Sauce Zesty Cheeseburger and Cheddar Cheese Macaroni Handwich L’Orange Cotton Candy: A mixture of Lime and Orange Cotton Candy (vegetarian) Bright Horizons: Sprite® with Multi-flavored Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic) M.I.A Beer Company 305 Golden Ale, Doral, FL Playalinda Brewing Company Blonde Ale, Titusville, FL Florida Beer Company Passport 35 Triple Chocolate Milk Stout, Cape Canaveral, FL JDub’s Passion Wheat, Sarasota, FL Central 28 Trekkerbier Farmhouse Ale, DeBary, FL Cigar City Guayabera Citra Pale Ale, Tampa, FL Eastern Florida Flight M.I.A. Beer Company 305 Golden Ale Playalinda Brewing Company Blonde Ale Florida Beer Company Passport 35 Triple Chocolate Milk Stout Western Florida Flight JDub’s Passion Wheat Central 28 Trekkerbier Farmhouse Ale Cigar City Guayabera Citra Pale Ale Flavors from Fire Piggy Wings: Roasted Pork Wings with Korean BBQ Sauce and Sesame Seeds Smoked Corned Beef with Warm Crispy Potatoes, Pickled Onions, and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue featuring BelGioioso Romano and American Grana Cheeses Sweet Pancake with Spicy Chipotle Chicken Sausage, Onion Jam, and Maple Butter Syrup Chocolate Picante: Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, and Raspberry Dust Orlando Brewery Smokin’ Blackwater Porter Ravenswood Zinfandel, Napa Valley Swine Brine featuring Evan Williams Bourbon Light Lab Beverage T=C2: Tonic Water and Cotton Candy (non-alcoholic) RGB: Citrus Apple Freeze (non-alcoholic) Bleu Spectrum: Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux with Boba Pearls Left Hand Brewing Company Polestar Pilsner, Longmont, CO Playalinda Brewing Company Robonaut Red Ale, Titusville, FL Elysian Brewing Space Dust IPA, Seattle, WA Sixpoint Brewery Mad Scientist Radiant Flux, Brooklyn, NY Founders Brewing Company Green Zebra Watermelon Gose Ale, Grand Rapids, MI Blue Point Brewing Company Hoptical Illusion IPA, Patchogue, NY Space Flight Left Hand Brewing Company Polestar Pilsner Playalinda Brewing Company Robonaut Red Ale Elysian Brewing Space Dust IPA Light Flight Sixpoint Brewery Mad Scientist Radiant Flux Founders Brewing Company Green Zebra Watermelon Gose Ale Blue Point Brewing Company Hoptical Illusion IPA Earth Eats Inspired by ABC’s “The Chew” Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce (vegetarian) Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots, and Feta Cheese Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle (gluten friendly) Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines Chardonnay “Goldie,” California Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines Pinot Noir, California Redstone Meadery Black Raspberry Mead Active Eats Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers, and Green Onions Roasted Verlasso® Salmon with Quinoa Salad and Arugula Chimichurri (gluten friendly) Sweet Avocado Crema with Strawberries, Yellow Cake, and Tortilla Streusel (vegetarian) M.I.A. Beer Company HRD WTR Cucumber & Lemon Lime Hard Sparkling Water, Doral, FL Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Riesling, Washington Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Coastal Eats Lump Crab Cake with Napa Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Lemongrass Cream Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip with Sourdough Baguette Seared Scallops with Roasted Corn and Butterbean Succotash and Chili-chipotle Butter Sauce Erath Pinot Gris, Oregon Soter Planet Pinot Noir, Oregon The Chocolate Studio Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel (gluten friendly) Sweet Dark Chocolate Raspberry Torte with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Dust (vegetarian) Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles Banfi Rosa Regale, Piedmont Lenotti Recioto della Valpolicella, Italy RL Buller Fine Muscat The Cheese Studio Hosted by Boursin® Cheese Braised Beef “Stroganoff” with Tiny Egg Noodles, Wild Mushroom, and Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce Savory Caramelized Onion Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Tart with cold Arugula Salad and Aged Balsamic (vegetarian) Cheese Trio: Profiterole topped with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese and Orange Apricot Jam; Smoked Salmon Pinwheel with Boursin® Shallot and Chive Cheese and Everything Seasoning; Strawberry Macaroon with Boursin Pepper Cheese Leth Steinagrund Gruner Veltliner, Austria Liberated Pinot Noir, California The Wine & Dine Studio Seared Scallops, Truffled Celery Root Purée, Brussels Sprouts, and Wild Mushrooms featuring Melissa’s Produce Pulled Duck Confit with Cannellini Bean Ragoût and Zinfandel Reduction Trio of Artisan Cheese (vegetarian): Fromager d’Affinois de Excellence with Toasted Baguette; Point Reyes Original Blue with Apricot Jam; Point Reyes Toma with Honey Artist Palette of Wine and Cheese: Trio of Artisan Cheese Paired with Round Pond Estate Sauvignon Blanc, St. Francis Chardonnay and Recuerdo Malbec Round Pond Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford St. Francis Chardonnay, Sonoma County Recuerdo Malbec, Argentina Eden Canyon “Jolie” Red Blend, California Meiomi Rosé, California Islands of the Caribbean Jamaican Beef Patty with Mango Salsa Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions (gluten friendly) Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce (vegetarian) Carib Lager Caribbean White Sangria Frozen Mojito New Zealand Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Breadcrumbs Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce and Kumara Purée Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir, Marlborough Frozen Wine Cocktail featuring Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Australia Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion, and Snap Peas (gluten friendly) Grilled Lamb T-Bone with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies (gluten friendly) Lamington: Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Shredded Coconut (vegetarian) Coopers Brewery Original Pale Ale Robert Oatley McLaren Vale Shiraz Hope Estate “Wollombi Brook” Semillon, Hunter Valley The Almond Orchard Hosted by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze® Cauliflower Risotto with Pulled Chicken, Artichokes, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese with Aged Balsamic Fire-roasted Tomato Hummus topped with Blue Diamond® Salt & Vinegar Almonds served with Blue Diamond Nut Thins® Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Crunchy Chocolate Oats Patagonia Beef Empanada Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée (gluten friendly) Verum Pinot Noir, Rio Negro Bodega Noemía de Patagonia “A Lisa” Malbec, Rio Negro Hawai’i Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour DOLE® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise Grilled Tuna Tataki with Seaweed Salad, Pickled Cucumbers, and Wasabi Cream Teriyaki-glazed SPAM® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, and Spicy Mayonnaise Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts Maui Brewing Company Bikini Blonde Lager Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine Mai Tai featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Farm Fresh Crispy Chicken with Griddled Cornbread and Red Eye Gravy Roasted Beet Salad with Green Beans, Feta Cheese, Minus 8 Vinaigrette, and Toasted Walnuts (vegetarian and gluten friendly) Gumption Citrus Freak Hard Cider, Middlebury, VT Woodchuck Raspberry Hard Cider, Middlebury, VT Two Henrys Elderberry Cream Hard Cider, Plant City, FL Florida Orange Groves Mango Mama Wine Cider flight Greece Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki (vegetarian) Taste of Greece: Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Dill Sauce, Grilled Octopus and Feta Cheese Dip with Warm Pita Spanakopita (vegetarian) Bougatsa: Warm Phyllo Dough Strudel with Sweet Vanilla Custard, Lemon Honey Syrup and Cinnamon (vegetarian) Domaine Skouras Moscofilero, Peloponnese Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko, Santorini Argyros Atlantis Red Blend, Santorini Thailand Marinated Chicken with Peanut Sauce and Stir-fried Vegetables Seared Shrimp and Scallop Cake with Cold Noodle Salad Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice Helfrich Gewürztraminer, Alsace Singha Lager Mexico Rib Eye Taco: Marinated Rib Eye, Roasted Chipotle Sauce, and Grilled Scallions on a Corn Tortilla Tequila Chipotle Shrimp: Served on a Black Bean Huarache garnished with Red and Green Cabbage, Queso Fresco, and Crema Mexicana Cajeta Mousse served with Cajeta Sauce and White Chocolate Flakes Prickly Pear Margarita Classic Pomegranate Margarita Mexican-style Sangria Pacifico Lager with Floater China Beijing Roasted Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin Sauce Spicy Chicken Bao Bun Black Pepper Shrimp with Garlic Noodles Chicken Potstickers Mango Bubble Tea with Assam Black Tea and Milk (non-alcoholic) Tsingtao Lager Ritzy Lychee with Courvoisier Cognac VS and Smirnoff Vodka Happy Peach with DeKuyper Peach Liqueur and Myers’s Dark Rum Kung Fu Punch with Smirnoff Vodka and Bols Triple Sec BaiJoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice India Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa and Coriander Pesto Dips (vegetarian) Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas, and Basmati Rice (vegetarian and gluten friendly) Korma Chicken with Cucumber Tomato Salad, Almonds, Cashews, and Warm Naan Bread Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake with Chocolate Coconut Mousse (vegetarian) Mango Lassi (non-alcoholic) Sula Chenin Blanc, Nashik Sula Shiraz, Nashik Kingfisher Lager Africa Berbere-style Beef Tenderloin Tips with Onions, Jalapeños, Tomato, and Pap (gluten friendly) Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew with Vegan Yogurt and Quinoa (vegetarian) Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket with Mint Raita (vegetarian) Ernie Els “Big Easy” Chenin Blanc, Western Cape Simonsig Pinotage, Stellenbosch Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz, Western Cape Wine flight Brewer’s Collection Lebkuchenherz: Decorated Gingerbread Heart Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered) Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse Naturtrüb Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen Pomegranate Beer Beer flight Germany Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham and Cheese Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce (vegetarian) Lebkuchenherz: Decorated Gingerbread Heart Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered) Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Kabinett, Mosel Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer Sacträger Riesling Spätlese, Rheinhessen Selbach Riesling Classic Dry, Mosel Wine flight Spain Charcuterie in a Cone with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, and Olives with an Herb Vinaigrette Traditional Spanish Paella with Shrimp, Mussels, Chicken, and Crispy Chorizo (gluten friendly) Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops and Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika (gluten friendly) Sweet Olive Oil Cake with Powdered Sugar and Lemon Curd Rafael Palacios Bolo Godello, Valdeorras Bodegas y Viñedos Artazu Garnacha Rosado, Navarra Casa Castillo Monastrell, Jumilla Wine flight Italy Crispy Calamari with Spicy Pomodoro Sauce Absolut Penne: Vodka Sauce with Shrimp Cannoli al Cioccolato: Chocolate-covered Cannoli Filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit Pinot Grigio Chianti Prosecco Corbinello Moscato Frozen Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila Moretti Lager Beer Moretti La Rossa Double Malt Beer Hops & Barley New England Lobster Roll Smoked Beef Brisket and Pimento Cheese served on Griddled Garlic Toast Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing (vegetarian) New Belgium Brewing Fat Tire White Ale, Fort Collins, CO Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale, San Francisco, CA Orange Blossom Brewing Foxtail Cold Brew Coffee Pilsner, Orlando, FL Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands Atalon Pauline’s Cuvée Red Blend, Napa Valley Beer flight Japan Wasabi Shumai Steamed Pork Dumpling Salmon BLT Sushi Roll Teriyaki Ginger Pork Pom Pineapple Sake Cocktail Kara Tamba Tarekuchi Dry Sake Yukikiage “Snow Shadow” Junmai Sake Sapporo Lager Morocco Kefta Pocket: Seasoned Ground Beef in a Pita Pocket Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions, and Tzatziki Sauce (vegetarian) Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce (vegetarian) Mimosa Royale: Sparkling Wine and Orange Juice topped with Orange Liqueur Les Trois Domaines Guerrouane White Wine, Meknes Moroccan Sangria Casa Pale Lager Belgium Beer-braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream (vegetarian) Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream (vegetarian) Hoegaarden Witbier Leffe Blonde Belgian Pale Ale Stella Artois Hard Cidre Chilled Coffee featuring Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Beer flight Brazil Escondidinho de Carne – “Little Hidden One”: Layered Meat Pie with Mashed Yucca (gluten friendly) Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato, and Onions (gluten friendly) Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread (vegetarian and gluten friendly) M.I.A. Beer Company Barbosa Black Beer, Doral, FL Lidio Carraro Chardonnay Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça France Moelleux au Fromage de Chèvre et Épinards: Warm Goat Cheese Pudding with Spinach (vegetarian and gluten friendly) Croissant aux Escargots: Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley Boeuf Bourguignon, Purée de Pommes de Terre:Cabernet Sauvignon Braised Beef with Mashed Potatoes Crème Brûlée à la Confiture de Framboises: Crème Brûlée with Housemade Raspberry Jam (vegetarian and gluten friendly) La Passion Martini Slush: Vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, Cranberry and Passion Fruit Juice Chardonnay, Bouchard Ainé & Fils Château les Graves de Barrau Merlot and Cabernet Blend, Bordeaux St-Germain Sparkling Kir: Sparkling Wine and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 Pale Lager Ireland Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread (vegetarian) Warm Chocolate Pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard Twinings® Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Shake (non-alcoholic) Bunratty Meade Honey Wine Guinness Blonde American Lager Twinings® Pumpkin Chai Tea Frozen Cocktail with Caramel Vodka Scotland Fresh Potato Pancake with Scottish Smoked Salmon and Herbed Sour Cream Traditional Scottish Lamb Stew with Neeps and Tatties The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked Cake with Lemon Cream and Toasted Oats (vegetarian) Belhaven Brewery Scottish Ale Citrus Thistle featuring Hendrick’s Gin Canada Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup served with a Pretzel Roll “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce (gluten friendly) Moosehead Radler: Lager infused with Grapefruit, Grape and Lemon Juices, New Brunswick Neige Premiere “Apple Ice Wine”, Québec Fielding Estate Red Conception, Niagara Peninsula View the full article

For the first year, the holidays will begin a bit early at Disney Springs with the celebration of Christmas in July. Beginning July 15 through July 30, 2017, you can start searching for the perfect Holiday gift throughout the Disney Springs Marketplace while experiencing special holiday-themed treats, merchandise and entertainment offerings. In July, The Art of Disney is featuring holiday inspired art with artist meet and greets, Dockside Margaritas is pouring the Snowflake Margarita, and Disney’s Days of Christmas is hosting a special meet and greet with Santa – dressed for the Florida heat. “Summer Santa” will be on hand for photographs 1:00pm to 10:00pm. For this limited-time Disney Springs celebration, a DJ will be spinning Christmas-beats and Enjoy Your Face will be celebrating with holiday face painting designs. Even the Disney Springs fountains will be decked for the season. Also, Starbucks in the Marketplace is offering their holiday themed drinks and you can stock up on sweets at Goofy’s Candy Company or Disney’s Candy Cauldron, featuring peppermint bark and gingerbread cookies. You’ll also find a few holiday-themed treats, including Santa Mickey and Minnie specialty apples and krispy treats, to delight children of all ages. Head over to AristoCrepes to indulge in a gingerbread crepe or a uniquely-shaped gingerbread cookie at Amorette’s Patisserie. The special events continue in July with UNIQLO celebrating their 1-year anniversary with a Japanese Night Market inspired celebration. Now through July 30, 2017, guests can experience a taste of a traditional Japanese night market, complete with prize-winning games, special photo opportunities, origami and calligraphy classes, and more. This event is a first of its kind at UNIQLO, and special activities run from 7:00pm to 11:00pm daily. Visit UNIQLO’s event page event page for more information. And, if you’re looking for a spot to relax before checking out our nighttime entertainment, multiple venues have enhanced their daily drink special offerings. Throughout the month of July, the bar located inside the House of Blues Restaurant & Bar will offer drink specials daily, from 11:30am to 5:00pm. We shared last week that STK Orlando had rolled out daily drink specials, and now Joffrey’s Tea Traders has also joined in on the fun. Stop by Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’s in the Landing between 4:00pm and 7:00pm daily to try discounted “spiked specialties,” including the Kahlua-Tini and Frozen Cappuccino with Bailey’s. View the full article

Feast your eyes on the marketplace menus of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The event will take place from Aug. 31-Nov. 13 at Epcot’s World Showcase. Theme park admission is required. This year’s festival will consist of about 35 marketplaces. You’ll see perennial favorites return... View the full article

Our Marvel Day at Sea sailings are fast approaching and ready to deliver action-packed heroics on the high seas. To help you invent your own thrilling storyline, we collaborated with Disney fashion expert Leslie Kay – creator of the DisneyBound blog – to share inspiration and tips for transforming into a modern-day knight in advanced armor. There’s a whole new master of magnetism in town when your fashion is filled with the personality of Iron Man. Technically speaking, the high-tech suit of armor is not made of iron, but rather a gold titanium. You’ll be invincible in your own version, showing everyone that you always have a plan to make the world a better place. Styling tips from Leslie: The Iron Man suit is a lot of red with gold. To break up the solid wall of red, choose a dress or use a variety gold accents. Include a circular necklace or accessory to mimic his electromagnet. For more ideas to express your Super Hero “character”istics and to get a glimpse at what you can expect during this epic event, keep following along on the Disney Parks Blog as we reveal more Marvel Day at Sea fun in store. View the full article

Head to Tokyo Disney Resort this summer for swashbuckling fun, seasonal festivities and a dazzling nighttime parade. With plenty of offerings to choose from, let’s dive in and look at how you can create your own adventure! Set sail for Tokyo DisneySea, where you’ll find Disney Pirates Summer in full swing, inspired by the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. Make your way over to Mediterranean Harbor, where Captain Barbossa has taken over Porto Paradiso and is recruiting young scallywags for his crew as part of Pirates Summer Battle ‘Get Wet!’ Captain Jack Sparrow makes an appearance for an epic showdown against Barbossa that includes water, fire and a thrilling swordfight. Who will win this battle between rivals? When you ride the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Tokyo Disneyland, you’ll also receive a special new treasure map. It’s up to you to solve the Pirates Mystery and discover three hidden treasures from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” “X” marks the spot! This summer, you can also enjoy Disney Natsu Matsuri, a traditional Japanese festival with a touch of Disney magic. You can find Mickey and pals atop floats playing Japanese arrangements of your favorite Disney songs as part of Sansui! Summer Beat. Clap and sing along, and you might even get sprayed by water as the floats pass you by. End your day with the Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights, which makes a glowing return with five new floats. For the first time in forever, Anna and Elsa join the parade from their icy castle. You’ll also see Cinderella in her pumpkin carriage and Prince Charming waiting for her in the castle ballroom, as well as the return of the enchanting “Beauty and the Beast” float with more twinkling LED lights. We hope to see you at Tokyo Disney Resort this summer! Let us know what you’re looking forward to most in the comments below. View the full article

One of my favorite parts of KA WA‘A lu‘au at Aulani Resort actually happens before the show. When guests arrive, they will be greeted by our hosts and hostesses with a special lei. Then, guests will be encouraged to mingle around the resort’s Halawai Lawn as live music and performers set the tone for the evening. Also available during this time are various traditional arts and crafts for guests to not only observe, but also participate. Be sure to check out the following: Na Pua U‘i (The Pretty Flowers): You’ll learn the traditional art of stringing lei (or flower garlands) together, creating your very own to adorn your neck or wrist. Or, you can present the lei as a special token of aloha to a loved one. Pa‘i ‘Ai (Pounded Taro): After observing the traditional mashing of cooked taro into a thick paste called pa‘i ‘ai, join in and experience the effort it takes to make poi the traditional way. Kapala (Printing): Intricately carved bamboo stamps called ‘ohe kapala were traditionally used to decorate and embellish fine kapa (bark cloth). Create your own keepsake on a card using stamps inspired by traditional patterns of nature. Kakau (Tattooing): Pick a kakau design and have a local artisan draw by hand on your arms, legs or even face! You’ll experience a contemporary take on the painstaking age-old practice of a traditional body art. KA WA‘A lu‘au is offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at Aulani Resort. What activities are you looking forward to experiencing? View the full article